demolishes

present tense third-person singular of demolish
1
2
as in shatters
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of most of the buildings in the town had been demolished in the bombing raid

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in smashes
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive terrorists used a powerful pipe bomb to demolish the concrete wall around the compound

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of demolishes An $8,000 Ryvid Anthem or a $10,000 Maeving RM1S will deliver broadly similar urban usability, while the $12,500 Zero FXE absolutely demolishes it on power-per-dollar. Utkarsh Sood june 12, New Atlas, 12 June 2026 The latest filing demolishes the timeworn claim that DOGE was infiltrated into Social Security in order to responsibly ferret out fraud and overspending. Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026 If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for demolishes
Verb
  • The finale’s real tragedy is that Max, in his own warped pursuit of justice, destroys everyone around him before being forced to see his entire crusade differently.
    JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026
  • Alas the aforementioned entity has invaded MJ’s mind, if not body, and destroys any idea that this passionate moment was actually real.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 28 July 2026
Verb
  • As Hogi pokes a hole in this plot and shatters the industrial love complex we’ve been sold song after song, movie after movie, the workplace version of this unhealthy relationship presents a familiar parallel.
    Dr. Marcus Collins, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • In Book 5, Poseidon sends a storm that shatters the boat that Odysseus was sailing in, alone.
    Chris Moody, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026
Verb
  • The skater then grabs his board and smashes his opponent in the head with it.
    Sean Joseph OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2026
  • Following the Oklahoma style, the team smashes Vidalia onions directly into the beef, making the patties superthin, then tops them with brown mustard, American cheese and pickles.
    Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • But what happens if the Epstein-files story razes the entire forest, torching whatever trust is left in the political establishment, the Democratic Party very much included?
    Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • That’s because even ordinary winds – and far worse, storms and earthquakes – cause tall buildings to sway, which ruins people’s concentration, wrecks their mood, and even exhausts them.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 July 2026
  • Hikers walk ancient stone pathways built by the Inca through cloud forests, mountain passes, and Inca ruins.
    Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026
Verb
  • Grucci fireworks are stored in cement-block structures in rural Virginia—well spaced, in case one blows.
    Paige Williams, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Peter trying to have a normal holiday while grieving Tony, Mysterio’s deception, and the post-credits scene that blows Peter’s life apart — all of it feeds into where the new film finds him.
    Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The breakup devastates both Charlie and Nick, who both resist their respective urges to reach out to one another, and Elle, Tao and Isaac Henderson (Tobie Donovan) come to Charlie’s home to look after him post-split.
    Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026
  • So when the dog is lost in a severe storm that devastates the region and leaves many homeless, an overwhelmed Rose must balance the urgency of her search mission alongside the misfortune of others close to her.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 June 2026
Verb
  • That’s because even ordinary winds – and far worse, storms and earthquakes – cause tall buildings to sway, which ruins people’s concentration, wrecks their mood, and even exhausts them.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 July 2026
  • As is the case with the Delta Aquarids, the moon, only one day past full, unfortunately, wrecks any chances of getting any decent views this year.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 18 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Demolishes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/demolishes. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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